Buko Magazine - Music in the Northwest

Music in the Northwest with resources
and information for the music community.

"I support Live Music" T-shirt
This is a great gift for the music fan.

Video interviews and music with members
of the music community.

Oregon Music History
Read the "History of Portland Rock"
by SP Clarke, look at old photos that were
never published, and download PDFs
of Two Louies Magazine.

2010 Safeway Waterfront Blues Festival begins this Friday, July 2-5

Text and Photos by Ty Hitzemann

This year looks as if it could be the biggest and best so far. Certainly a billion note-laden extravaganza the Festival has seen yet in its 23 years. Is it fathomable to carry more than 120 performances on 5 stages? Yes. Is it possible to see them all? Depends on how dedicated you are, and if you have a great baby sitter who'll take over for 10 hours a day for 4 days. Good luck finding one who doesn't want to be down there themselves...and since the blues is the un-disputed foundation for almost every genre- there is an act for any and everyone who loves music.

Highlight performances by:

Lucky Peterson, Commander Cody, Gallactic, JJ Grey and Mofro, Super Chikan & the Fighting Cocks. Also Cedric Burnside & Lightnin' Malcom, Norton Buffalo, Trombone Shorty and MANY more.

Our very own NW array of NW talent will take several stages along with the national acts as well. People like Lisa Mann, Terry Robb, Boogie Bone, Alan Hager, Son Jack Jr., Karen Lovely, Duffy Bishop, Bill Rhoades Harmonica Blow-off, Linda Hornbuckle and oh so many more.

And kicking it all off will be the Gunnar Roads Band. We at BukoTV got a great interview with Gunnar last year after he put on a stellar performance with his band.

Certainly NOT to miss are return visits of Taj Mahal, Little Feat, John Mayall and Booker T.

John Mayall signs autographs.

Just Scratching the surface of information about these awesome Titans of music.John Mayall is often called the Grandfather of the British Blues Invasion in the early 1960's. Mayall played a pivotal and pioneering role to many who would later make it over the waves bound for success in the U.S. as well as the world. Under his leadership many such alumni to grace his bands were the likes of Eric Clapton, Jack Bruce, Peter Green, John McVie and Mick Fleetwood from Fleetwood Mac. Also Mick Taylor who left to join the Stones all came through Mayall's ranks. His newest guitarist grew up with Stevie Ray Vaughan. Rocky Athas was voted as one of 10 best guitarists in Texas by age 23, along w/ legends as Billy Gibbons, Johnny Winter and Eric Johnson.

John Mayall is in his 70's now...are you sure you'd want to miss him?

Taj Mahal

Impossible to pigeonhole, Taj Mahal has crossed as many genres in relation to the blues and beyond since his note able arrival on the international scene in the late 1960's. Reggae, Gospel, Zydeco, Hawaiian ukulele and African Folk.

Did anyone see the very early Taj rendition of "Ain't That a Lot of Love" performance on the Rolling Stones Rock and Roll Circus DVD?
Foolish indeed to miss this monolith performer with a heart and voice of gold.

Booker T. Jones was the legendary band leader, keyboard and vocalist for Booker T. and the M.G's. in the swinging '60's surf/blues band that wrote or popularized many hits from the era. He has also worked in the studios with some of the highest regarded artists of our time, earning him a Grammy Award for lifetime achievement.

While still in high school, Jones co-wrote the group's insrumental "Green Onions", which became a hit in 1962, and remains an enduring classic more than 40 years later.

Don't miss some of the All-star jams later in the evenings at the Hotel Marriott across the street:

Friday evening will showcase 2 different jam sessions. One with Trombone Shorty, then later on Walter Trout w/ John Mayall!

Walter Trout

~Saturday is Bobby Rush
~Sunday with JJ Grey and Mofro

The Marriott shows are a definite close-in experience and are well worth the walk across the street and cover charge. It is here such great performers collaborate in an intimate setting right before your very eyes and ears

OTHER ACTIVITIES INCLUDE:

Zydeco is always a mainstay at the WFBF and will feature many whom fans have come to know and love, along with some newer acts will feature the likes of:
Corey Ledet, Capt. Leroy, Paul Cebar w/ Lightin' Malcolm and Curley Taylor w/ Zydeco Trouble.

Blues Cruises, Workshops, dances, kids activities and of course the world famous 4th of July Fireworks show.

Please check the WFBF website here for complete schedule here:
www.waterfrontbluesfest.com/

Don't forget you can check out some great video interview footage of some of the best local as well as national talent along with Blues Festival Staff, volunteers and support right here at Buko.net, just click on the Buko TV icon!
We are continuing our video coverage this year as well, so stay tuned for more great interviews...

Most importantly, the WFBF is and always has been a benefit for the Oregon Food Bank, which exist to stamp out hunger in Oregon.

They are responsible for raising thousands of dollars and even more pounds of food for the hungry throughout Oregon and Clark County each year. 240,000 people per month eat from emergency food boxes. This number needs to be lowered.

It is through YOUR monetary donation and cans of good food that help make the difference, and you get to enjoy some of the BEST music on the planet!

To enter the Festival, a strongly suggested donation is $10 (or more if you are able) plus two cans of nonperishable food per person, per day (including children).

100 percent of your donations at the gate benefits Oregon Food Bank and its mission: to eliminate hunger and its root causes ... because no one should be hungry.

For Ten small bucks and a couple decent cans of food gets you in ALL FREAKIN' day. Where else can you see so much for so little?
Come on down!

Alan Hager